Gavin McKenna to Change Jersey Number for Rookie Season

Gavin McKenna, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top draft pick, has been practicing with the team during development camp this week. However, there’s a significant change he’ll need to make come fall.

Previously, McKenna sported No. 72 while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League and at Penn State last season. Surprisingly, he had also worn it during practice with the Maple Leafs not too long ago. Fans excitedly ordered jerseys featuring his name and this number.

Yet, the number 72 may soon pose a problem. With the Maple Leafs having signed two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on July 1, who has a history with No. 72 and No. 35, questions arose. Would the team favor their new rookie or prioritize a seasoned player like Bobrovsky?

In a recent twist, it’s been revealed that McKenna will switch to No. 92 for his rookie season. This change had its challenges; Toronto has certain restrictions around jersey numbers. For instance, combinations that add up to significant values, like 7 and 2 equating to 9, were ruled out in honor of past players. McKenna could have opted for No. 27, too, but that number is retired due to legends Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler.

Ultimately, he landed on 92. To maintain respect for the players who previously donned that number, McKenna reached out to Jeff O’Neal to ensure he was comfortable with this choice.

With this transition, McKenna is set to play a vital role in a Maple Leafs squad eager to rebound from a challenging 2025-26 season, during which they found themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.